Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Taking Your Life Back ❯ "Calm Before The Storm" ( Chapter 13 )

I had begun to wear black lately. When Sasuke asked, I only told him he was rubbing off on me. A punch in the arm, and I was whining at him the rest of the day. Emerald watched.

 

During 2nd period, Sasuke being in that class, he sat next to me. I didn't really care, so I actually paid attention during class. But his scribbling drew my attention away, for a moment, but he glared at me in warning, so I reluctantly turned away. At the end of class, he gave the paper to me and told me not to open it until he got to Kakashi-sensei's class, 4th period. When the time came, I opened the folded parchment to find a badly drawn picture of me and Sasuke as stick figures holding hands. I laughed myself into a coma, truthfully, as I practically choked to death on breathlessness. Kakashi took the paper from me, and he even cracked, his mask quivering as he chuckled loudly. He kept the paper, pining it up on the wall behind his desk, saying he “always appreciated student artwork.” Sasuke had a hard time containing himself, keeping a hand over his mouth as he shivered in laughter. Emerald watched.

 

Lunch break, Sasuke had found me on the roof with Shikamaru once again, leaning over the edge to watch the other students down below.

 

This day, Sasuke had a water balloon.

 

He scanned his eyes carefully through the people, trying to single one out in particular, and Neji Hyuuga was his name. Sasuke has had a grudge against him since atleast 3rd grade, for reasons I'm not really sure about. I think he's a very distant cousin, but that fact didn't stand as he leaned his torso over the building to release the blue liquid-filled balloon. A splash was heard soon after, an irate Hyuuga peering up emotionlessly at his attacker. Sasuke grinned from ear to ear, practically, and I screamed out an apology with a smile, and Shikamaru sighed. We didn't expect the Hyuuga to have such a great throwing arm, since rocks rained down on us from below. We laughed loudly as we escaped back into the building before Neji could bombard us with fellow students. Emerald watched.

 

At the end of school, his car was being assaulted with the girls again. I didn't know how to get in there, so grabbing their attention with a flailing of my arms and pointed to the sky “OMG LOOK IT'S A MILLION DOLLARS!” Being the dimwits they are, they actually turned to try and find it, and in that time, I dove into the backseat of the convertible, letting him shift into gear and peel out as fast as his car could go. We could hear the screaming at the departure of Sasuke, trying to find “That little brat Naruto” who was so conveniently hidden in Sasuke's car. I couldn't withhold my laughter, and neither could he. Emerald watched.

 

I now officially had a home. Though Itachi was beyond irritated with the extra mouth to feed, he barely allowed it. He threatened me with sex again, but Sasuke threatened with the police. And Itachi would only mumble under his breath before storming off angrily, glancing at me with seductively narrow eyes as shivers crawled up my spine. I knew I was safe around Sasuke, though, the way his eyes challenged his brother's. He'd hold my hand tightly, squeezing it every step Itachi took away from us. I'd turn to him, but he wouldn't do the same for me, his steely gaze on his brother's back. And I'd accept that with a squeeze to his hand and a smile just for him.

 

I am safe.

 

---

 

It was the third week of January, and I knew what was needed of me. The days were passing away quickly, and I was not at all looking forward to seeing him, no. He'd rebel against Sasuke, my housing arrangements, my grades, my appearance, and everything in between. No, I did not look forward to seeing him.

 

But...I have no choice in the matter...

 

I sat in the kitchen, eying the phone wearily. I stood up slowly and walked over to it, caution in every step. I picked it up off the hook, sliding the cord around my fingers as my other hand dialed the numbers. I sharply took in my breath as small rings were heard, and I calmed myself by leaning back against the wall, but as he picked up the phone with a clicking sound, I jerked to a straightened stand.

 

“Hello?” he asked. I gulped.

 

“...Jiraiya...” I whispered, a fist clenching against the wall.

 

“...I know, kid,” he answered softly, most likely noticing my nervousness. He sighed.

 

“...When?”

 

I brought a hand to my hair, letting it sift through knots of blonde.

 

“...I moved,” I said.

 

“...Really? Thank god. That apartment of yours was dreary. Kids like you should have more lively places.” I sighed.

 

“...You know I can't do better,” I was beginning to sharpen my speech, as the conversation became casual.

 

“...I know, don't throw a hissy fit.” I growled at him.

 

“You know, you don't have to always be like this to me,” Angrily, I clenched the phone tightly.

 

“Is this how you always speak to your elders?” he answered just as tartly.

 

“...You know, you could have been just a little bit responsible towards me.”

 

“You're always acting like an ungrateful little whelp. Lose the attitude.” I clenched my teeth.

 

“FUCK YOU! I don't even know why you filled out those fucking papers, if you weren't even going to be around me, or even SUPPORT me! Some guardian YOU are!”

 

“...I'd like to say `What would your father think', but I bet you'd cry yourself to sleep again, wouldn't you?” His voice was monotone, and moisture collected in my eyes angrily.

 

“...I was FIVE YEARS OLD, you asshole,” I ground out, tears streaming now. But I straightened, attempting to hide my throaty convulsions over the phone, trying to keep my voice steady and strong as I cried furious tears.

 

“...I don't even know why you want to come see me, or him. I don't need you, I've never needed you. Go to hell, you stupid perverted fuck. I don't even know why dad liked you so much, or why he thought you would be such a nice guy towards me. Look at me now. Oh, I'm such a great kid, aren't I? Thanks a lot for being such a nice guy. Don't even bother coming to see me, because I don't at all look forward to seeing your damned face. I hate you, so thanks for all you haven't done. Goodbye.”

 

“Naruto, you little brat, hold on-”

 

I slammed the phone down onto the receiver so hard; it actually fell off the wall. It clattered to the ground, and I stood there dejectedly with palms over my eyes, fingers laced into my blonde bangs as the tears came unconsciously and unwillingly, as if they were the most natural thing in the world. I wasn't sobbing, no, and I wasn't shaking from anger anymore. I was merely crying, for the sake of sanity. I couldn't stop those tears, either, the way my eyes kept them flowing without a hiccup or any protest of the throat.

 

“...With only one side of the conversation to listen to, it's kinda hard to understand...”

 

I didn't lift my head to him, keeping my silent and undetectable tears hidden.

 

“...Eavesdropping on personal matters isn't really a plus in my book,” I answered quietly, lifting but a hand to see him lean against the wall. He shrugged with narrow eyes.

 

“...Sorry, then. But you're crying, so I thought I'd insert myself into the equation, so you won't cry anymore...I hate it.”

 

“...While that is very sweet of you, it is unappreciated,” I let a smile slip to my lips, and his narrow eyes shifted to gaze down at them in a questioning tone.

 

“...Oh is it really? Once again, I'm quite sorry. Just trying to be a little thoughtful towards my boyfriend, for once.”

 

I uncovered my eyes and gestured for him to come, smile still adorned. He stuffed his hand in his pockets and walked over to me uninterestedly, eyes not meeting me, and if they were, they'd lack all emotion. I leaned up to kiss him on the cheek, my hand playing with the bangs on the other side. His eyes shifted slowly to me, carefully memorizing my features silently. He brought a thumb to my cheeks to rub off the salty liquid, and he leaned down for a kiss at the temple. I let him, wrapping arms around his tender waist, eyes closed.

 

It's okay now...Isn't it?

 

---

 

OMG sorry this is short. I'm sick today, and need to sleep D: BADLY. Next one, you'll understand what's going on with Jiraiya and shit (ZOMG JIRAIYA YES) and then, well, everyone knows about Sakura. Just wait for it. Sorry, next one I hope to make longer! WOW, I sure do love reviews *wink wink*